Lorraine Thomas

HERMON — Lorraine M. Thomas, age 69, of Hermon, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009, at Fletcher-Allen Medical Center in Burlington, VT.

Lorraine was born September 23, 1939 in Gouverneur, the daughter of Albert and Helen DeLong Mitchell.

She graduated from Potsdam High School in 1957 and SUNY Geneseo with a degree in library science. She also performed class work at Syracuse University.

She worked in the Red Creek school district and then for Gouverneur Central Schools where she was an elementary school librarian, retiring in 2000.

She married Ronald Thomas Sr. in Hermon on March 12, 1993.

Mrs. Thomas was a member of the Red Creek Order of the Eastern Star, the auxiliary of the US Coast Guard in Sackets Harbor, and she was an instructor for the youth safety programs for boating, snowmobiles, and all terrain vehicles. She enjoyed making crafts, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and animals, especially cats.

She is survived by her husband Ronald, 2 sons Robert and Kathy Claflin of Oak Harbor, WA and Daniel and Ericka Claflin of Alexandria, VA, a daughter Wendy Terricone of Troy, 3 stepdaughters Cathy Claflin of Norwood, Kathy and Paul Buell of Gouverneur, and Denise Felino of Albany, a stepson Ronald Thomas Jr. of Auburn, her mother Helen Mitchell of Troy and formerly of Potsdam, a brother John Mitchell of Florida, and several grandchildren. She is predeceased by her father and a previous husband Donald Claflin.

Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 pm Tuesday, June 30, 2009 with the funeral service at 8:00 pm that evening at the Green Funeral Home, Gouverneur with Rev. Dr. Richard Mayforth, pastor of the Gouverneur First Presbyterian Church officiating.

Donations may be made to the Gouverneur Reading Room or your local SPCA.